The profile of cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-23) in active alopecia areata.

Th1 and Th17 pathways play a central role in the initiation and progression of AA, while Th2 pathway is suppressed in active AA. Treg pathway may be opposing Th1 and Th17 pathway and causes disease localization. The instant study lays the groundwork for understanding the pathogenesis of AA and suggests the role of implicated cytokines as potential therapeutic targets and as biomarkers of disease activity.